Watch The Lawless Nineties

The Lawless Nineties is a western movie from 1936 starring John Wayne as John Tobin, a special agent sent to clean up a corrupt town in Kansas during the late 1800s. The movie also features Ann Rutherford as Ann, Tobin’s love interest and the daughter of the local judge, and Harry Woods as ace outlaw and Tobin’s archenemy, Sam crew.

The plot follows Tobin as he arrives in Kansas disguised as a gunfighter named John Martin, in order to investigate the town’s corrupt activities. Once there, he immediately clashes with Crew and becomes involved in a web of power struggles between the town’s criminal and law enforcement factions. Tobin’s cover is eventually blown, leading to several confrontations with Crew and his men.

One major theme of the movie is the clash between civilization and lawlessness. Tobin represents the forces of law and order, while Crew represents the forces of chaos and violence. As the movie progresses, Tobin struggles with balancing his desire to uphold the law with his growing attraction to Ann, who is sympathetic to some of the town’s more corrupt elements. Additionally, the corrupt sheriff and judge conspire to undermine Tobin’s efforts, leading to several dramatic moments and shootouts.

The Lawless Nineties is notable for its action-packed gunfights and sweeping landscape shots. The movie was also one of John Wayne’s early starring roles, helping to cement his reputation as a leading man in the western genre. The chemistry between Wayne and Rutherford is palpable, adding a romantic subplot to the overall narrative.

Other notable actors in the movie include George “Gabby” Hayes as the comic relief bartender, and Yakima Canutt as Crew’s right-hand man. Canutt, a legendary stuntman and director, would go on to work with Wayne on several other western movies, including Stagecoach and The Searchers.

Overall, The Lawless Nineties is a classic western movie that combines action, romance, and drama into a compelling narrative. John Wayne’s performance as the heroic lawman is some of his best work, and the movie’s themes of good vs. evil and law vs. lawlessness remain relevant to this day.